Machine for reducing heel-breast covering flaps



March 5, 1935. J. BAzzoNl 1,993,293

MACHINE FOR REDUCING HEEL REAST COVERING FLAPS I Filed Feb. 7, 1953 5 sheets-sheet 1- lez /A/ VE/WUPn March 5,V 1935. J. BAzzoNl 1,993,293

MACHINE FOR REDUCING HEEL BREASTOVERING FLAPS Filed Feb. '7,v 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /VVEA/TU/CL March 5, 1935. L. J. BAzzoNr -199329 MACHINE FOR REDUCING HEEL BREAST COVERING FLAPS Filed Feb. 7, 1935 J5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4/ Fig 5.5/2 [a l A [66 54.

March 5, 1935. l.. J. BAzzoNl MACHINE FOR REDUCING HEEL BREAST COVERING FLAPS Filed Feb. 7, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MACHINE FOR REDUCING HEEL BREAST COVERING-FLAPS Filed Feb. 7, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 5 E M@ @www Patented Mar. `v, 1935y UNiTED STATE MAonINE rolt REDUCING HEEL-BREAST 1 oovEmNo FLAPs f Lewis J. Bazzani, Swanipscott, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery' Corporation, Paterson, N1 J., a corporation of New Jersey Appioanim February 7, 193s, Serial No. 655,629 s' 28 Claims.

f cementing the flaps4 to the breasts of heels.

It is an object of the present invention to pro-fV vide an improved machine which may be-used rapidly and eifectively to reducev theheel-breast covering flaps of' soles of' shoes with a minimum amount of eiort on the partaofthev operator;

With the above object in view., and inaccordance with a feature ofthe invention, each ci Ythe illustrated machines. includes a pair of' .supports which are constructed and'arranged for engagement with the shank and heel-seat portions re.- spectively, of a sole having; a heelrbreasb; Covering nap split thereiromand' are spaced to provide an op;ning through which the. flap.e extends. a matrix plate, an abrasive member, and. means; for eieoting relative movement of the abrasvemom.- ser on one liano; and the matrix plato, and the supports. on the other hand in anv orbital pathto reduce theV flap at selected localities.

Each oi the illustrated machines is provided with a plurality of units, each oiwhich, comprises a matrix plate and'mechanism for'silipuliting and positioning the sole, and a turret'y upon which the units are mounted `in order successivelyi to. move the saine pasta solefloadng Station, and'. then past the abrasive` member.k The supprtt for the heel-seat portion of the sole isprovidedwithgan undercut face which cleii'ects.Y the flap into the opening formed -between the supports as theA sole is moved rearwardly, iiesh side up, between apair of centralizing rolls and against the heel-seat engaging support. The matr-ix plate of each of the units may be mounted; for adjustment relatively to the support for the shank portion of in order to vary the distance between come. andthe, matrix plate andgthereby to when desirable, the distance between. the

of the flap and the flapportion tobe reduced. l i?. a side'elevational View oi an, illustrated machine for abrading heel-breast covering naps;

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the macl'iineillus ted in Figi; l

ig 3 is.V a sectional View' taken; along line Eli-Hl Q Eig. 2;?.

Fig; 421s aV sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3'; Fig. 51s a detail view` supporting and adjusting aj lower pulley which carries the rotary abrasive. belt. of thel machine illustrated in Figs. 1.150,4; f

6 is a side elevational viewpofv a modied machine for abradingl heel-breast covering naps.;V Fig. 7 shows a vertical section of theniachine illustrated in Fig. 6; 1- f1 .g

Fig'. 8- is an enlarged View of one-of the solesupporting and positioning units of the machine illustrated-in Figs. and 7;

Fig. 91 shows in section a suctionf-pipe forfdisposing of leather-dust, the section being v,taken along line IX--IX of Fig. 3; andv Fig. lo is a perspective view of therearpart of showing f mechanism kfor a sole, the heel-breast covering flap. of wh-iehhas been reduced by the above-illustrated machine.

A@ne of the` illustrated machines is provided with a rotaryy table (Figs. 1v tofi)y comprisingfsolesupporting and positioning units, each ofwhich includes plates 22, 2.4`v (Figs. y3 and 4:.)l constructed andarranged tosu'pportv the shank and he.els.eat portions 2,6, 28 (Fig.. 10); respectively of asole29 having a heel-breast covering ap 30l split .therefrom; The plates 22xare illustratedr ascomprising partsof the table 2,0. The-platesfZi` are preferably ,formed-Voi. pieces separate fromthe table and have sole-engaging faces- 32 spaced fromthe sole-engaging faces. 34 of the plates.- 22to form openings or slits 36. The heel-breast, covering nap 30l of` the sole supported andpositioned upon the plates: 22, 24'extends through and beyondthe opening 36 preparatory to rotating the table 20 past an abrasive member or belt 38 (Figsi and.2)`, v for rforcing the portion'of` the. flap projecting through the opening 36 against. a matrix, plate 40'- which isjpositioned beneath and clamped.- to the under-side ot the plate 22 by screws41,.there by'tofreduce therthickness ci the Hap 30 at. se.- V lected localities for producing aflapsuch asillus.-

trailed. in Eig. 10; f v

It is. sometimes the practice to retain the, full thickness ci the heel-breast covering flap 30 atthe central part 42 of its base and Vto skive the flap lengthwise and widthwisek from such part to form a .Veshaped reinforcement 44. The margin 46Y of the'lap 30 may be trimmedto uniform but reduced thickness and after the flap has been cemented. to` the vbreast of;` the heel it is .trimmedv to the outline ofthe breastY ofA the-heele I Y Although the illustratedmachines are described withA 'reference` tothe,- forming of the V.shaped reinforcement ii-andftheilap-margin- 46 of re- 55.

covering flap.

The rotary table 20, which may also be referred to as a turret, is of circular form and is provided f with aI hub portion 45 mounted kfor rotation upon an upstanding post 47 carried by a standard 48.

The table 20 may be supported for rotation uponl the standard 48 by an anti-friction bearing (not shown). The turret or table 20 is rotated upon the upstanding post 47 through a worm 50 (Fig. 2)

which meshes with a circular rack 52 formed at the lower part of a dependingrlange54 of the table 20. The worm 50 is driven by va pulley 56 which is connected through a belt 58 to a pulley 60 keyed to a shaft of anelectric motor 62. Y

When it is desired to provide a heel-breast covering iiap h'aVinga reinforcement extending substantially the entire lengthof the flap, it has been foundpreferable to place the sole in sole-supporting and positioning units which are mounted upon a rotary drum 63 "(Figs. 6 and 7) and will be" referred to later. The 'rotary drum 63y may be referred to as aturret and is mounted upon a bearing shaft 66 supported by a standard 68, the

drum being rotated by a worm 70 constructed andV arranged to mesh with a circular rack 72 formed integral with the drum.

vTheillustrated abrasive belt 38 (Figs. 1 andv 5) is carriedupon upper and lower -pulleys 74, 76

Amounted upon shafts 78, 80, respectively, which are rotatably secured in bearing blocks-82, 84, respectively. The shaft 78 carries a pulley 86 which is connected to a drive pulley 88 secured to the shaft of theelectric motor 62 by a belt 90.

In order Ato adjust the abrasive belt 38 toward and away from the path of movement of the matrixplates 40 according to the desired thickness ofthe margin 46 of the reduced flap, the upper bearing block 82 is formed integral with a dovetail slide 92-(Fig. 1) constructed and arranged for adjustment along a slideway -94 of the main frame. This adjustment may be effected after releasing set screws 96 by turning a rod 98, the lower end of which-rests on a stud 100 and the upper end of which is in threadedengagement with a collar 102 mountedupon a pin104 secured to a flange of the bearing block 82. After the vbearing block 82 has been adjusted heightwise, it is Vclamped to the main frame by the set screws 96.

The `lower bearing block 84 is pivotally mounted upon' a pin 106 carried by a slide 108 which is provided with an internally threaded lug 116 arranged to receive a threaded portion of the stud 100y which is rotatably secured to a boss 112 of the frame of the machine. 'In order to adjust the pulley 76 about the pin 166 Vto set the same for proper engagement with the abrasive ybelt 38, the bearing 84 is provided with'an extension 114 (Fig. 5) having a threaded recess for receiving an adjusting screw 116, the end of which engages the slide 108. A lock nut 113 is used'to clamp the screw 116 to the extensionilll.

In order to lock the slide 108 and to release th same for adjustment along the slideway 94, the illustrated machine is provided with a. pair of set screws 122 in threaded relationfwith the main frame and having their respective ends in engagement with a gib 124. The rod 98 is hinged ,through thecollar102 with respect to the upper bearing block 82'in order-to'facilitate the lowering of the pulley 74 below the dependingrflange 54 of the table 20Y when placinga new abrasive belt 38 upon ment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is mounted upon upper and lower pulleys 128, which are carried uponupper and lower blocks 132,134, respectively. The upper block 132 has an extension 136 shaped and arranged for adjustment along a slideway 138 o-f Va stationary bracket 140 which is bolted to the main frame. The block 134 is pivotally connected to a slide 142 which is mounted for adjustmentalong the slideway 138. In order initially to aline the abrasivebelt 39, the pulley 130 may beangularly adjusted relatively to the slide 142 by turning a rod 144 which is in threaded Vrelationwith the slide 142 and has an abutment 146 arranged to engage a depending arm 148 of .the block 134. The arm.148 is urged toward the abutment 146 by a'spring 150 carried by the rod 144 and having its opposite ends in engagement with the slide 142 and the arm 148, respectively.. The slides,136 and 142, after being adjusted heightwiseof theV slideway 138, by turning an adjusting rod 152, are clamped to the bracket by screws 154, 156, respectively.

` The soles are successively placed flesh-side up upon the table 20 as the sole-supporting units arrive at a sole-loading station A (Figs. 2 and 6). To facilitate the positioning of the sole in the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, each unit is provided withV a pair of centralizing arms 158 which carry rolls 160 arranged to'extend into the opening or slit 36 and mounted for equal and opposite movement about screws 162 with respect to the supporting plates 22 and 24. As the 0perator moves the sole, heel-end first, between the rolls 160, the'flap engages the plate 24 which is provided with an undercut face 164 constructed and arranged to engage the iiap as the sole is pushed rearwardly, and to guide or deflect the same through the opening or slit 36.

The throat formed between the centralizing rolls isofsuificient width to accommodate the smallest sole being operated upon and may be varied in width by turning the thumb nut 166. A spring 163 which normally urges the arms 158 into a closed position is of suitable strength to permit the operator by slightly forcing the rear end of the sole against the rolls 160 to spread the arms 168 apart.

- The length of the viap` 30 to be formed varies in accordance-with the size of the sole being split, and the VV-shaped reinforcement 44 is usually formed at a constant distance from the forward end 170 (Fig. 10) of the flap in soles of different sizes and shapes. v

YAs the flap 30, after being positioned widthwise at the sole-loading station A, is rotated with the table 20, it comes into contact with a flapguide or plow 172 which is positioned immediately in front of the top of the abrasive belt 38 and is shaped and arranged to move the flap into a position adjacent to the matrix plate 4() preparatory to forcing the flap against the same.

When the abrasive belt 38 engages the nap 3Q it drags the same rela-tively to the ytable 20 until the forward end 170 of the flap is positioned adjacent to one end of the opening, as illustrated` in Fig.' 3, and `then forces the flap against the matrix plate 40 to remove material from the same at selected localities. will thus noted that it is only necessary for the operator to place sive beltbeforev reducing they ap; positionsY the.

massless the sole of the shoeA upon.- the. plates; 22,'v 24=` in sucha position that theap extendsa substantial distance through the opening.- 36; since the abra.-

sole. lengthwise and1v alsooriente. the same with respectr tothe rolls 160:

The slit or opening 35' should besofs sufficient width toipermit the nap fquicklytojbe:z inserted through the slit but should not be so wide tl'iatthe portionof the sole that bridges the opening'is ilexedf due to. thel pull of the Impr/during the abrading operation; InA order to'vary the Width of the-opening, the plate'. 24, which Vmay be: referred to as a separator plate, isv adjustably mounted upon the table 20 through a pair of screws 1744 (Fig. 3) whichy are in threaded r.elarv tionV withtheplate 24 land' pass througlr slotsD 176 respectively formed in the table 20; Y

Itis sometimes c-1stomary to' split the solea considerable distance forwardly of its breast: line 180 in order toform a flapofisunicient length? toN enablev the operator tofbevel'the forwardiedgeof thev projecting lip of arLouisheel, which' is torbe attached to the'shoe, with Va rasp, .thereby tjo insure that the lip of' the heel-otthe nished shoewillmergesmcothly With the shank por-tion oithe sole. Inorder accurately tog` position the V-shaped reinforcement v44.. in soles, the` heel'.-

breast covering naps of which are split different` distances forwardly off the heel breast line 180, the: matrix plates` 40S'Inay' be initially:adjustedV` relatively to their corresponding openings` 36;

Such adjustment isl effected' by: loosening the screws 41, which are in threaded relation with the matrix plate 40 andA passthrough slotsv 182 formed' invv the table 20,` and' by then moving the matrix plate 40 alonga recess 1'84 (Fig. 4)' formed inthe under-side ofi the table 201untilthesmatrix plate 4G engages: a curved edge 1186/ of anv abutment plate 188 (Fig. 3-`). Secured tothe stemfof the abutment plate 182 isan indicator-finger 190 which' may be turned initially to adjust thevplate 186 in accordance Withthe-distanceto which' the flap v 30 1 has been. split forwardly off theheel'V breast linev 180. In order to assist theY operator' in' adjusting the abutment plate 188,'the'- top of the table 201 is provided with a scale-1921 (Fig. 29 for setting the indicator finger 190. Whenthe matrix plate 40 has vbeen movedintov engagement with the abutment plate-188, the screws 41-4 are again tightened` toclampV the matrix plates@ in adjusted position tothe table' 2G.

It isv desirable to dispose ofA leather-dust which has been removed from the heel-breast covering flap'and, accordingly, the machine is provided with a suction pipe 194 havingy its throat posif tioned immediately in rear ci' the upper part of the abrasive-beltl 38 (Figs. 1 and- 3). The topof vthe suction pipe adjacent to the abrasive roll may be formed by the flap-guide `172 which, as stated, bends the ap towardi the-matrix plate 40 as the table is rotated. Suetionis'inducedY in the pipe` 19'41by a fan 196 which is drivenfrom the motor 162 Vthrough 'a' beltv 1981.

In order toY reduce the heel-breast covering i'lap 30L at selected localities, the operator, after initially adjusting the machine, successively places solesflesh side up in the units carried byY the table 20 'as they arrive at loading-position A, and pushes the heel-seat portion of the solebetween the rolls 1'60lto centralizethe sole. .In the meantime, the heet-breastV covering flap strikes the undercut' face 164' of thepl'ate24whichl projects slightly above the table 201, to force the flap through theslit or openingl 36E so thatthelmajer and as the flapi moves past the upper part of the rotary abrasive belt 38 (Figs. 1 and 3) it is forced against the matrix plate 40 and is reducedyat selected localities. When the skiving operation has been performed the operator removes the sole from 4the unit or, if desirable, the machine may be; equipped with mechanism for automatically ejecting the work from the machine.

Since the solesupporting and positioning units carried by the drum 63Vv illustrated in Figs. 6, 7

- and 8 Aare identical with correspondingunits illustrated in 1- to 5,' except for certain` parts which areslightly curved in accordance withthe curvature of the duin/1.53; it will not be necessary to describe the construction and the yoperation of such units in detail. Accordingly, the parts of the sole-supporting. and positioning units of the modified'machine of. Figs, 7 and 8 which are substantially identical with the Vcorresponding partsof the machine of Figs. 1 to 5 have been Vgiven respectively the samel numerals each with the I exponent a.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: l

1. An abrading machine having, incombination, a support for a sole having a flap split therefrom, said support being provided with a slitte receive said flap, a matrix, an abrasive member, and means to ymove the support the matrix past the abrasive member thereby to causeV the ap to be forced against the matrix by said member for varying the thickness ofv the flap` at seiected localities.`

2. A machine of the Vclass described having, in combination, a table to support a sole having av ilap! split therefromV and provided with a slit to receive the rlap, a matrix secured to the underside'ofthe table, and a lap-reducing member, saidv table being mounted for rotation to carry the matrix in an orbital path and past Ythe iiapreducing member thereby to cause the ilap to .be

iorcedagainst the matrix for skiving the same toV Y ashape determined by the matrix.

3. A machineof the class described having, in

combination, supports constructed and arranged' toeneage-the heel seat' and' the shank Aportions respectively/lof a sole having a lieel-.breast`;cov

ering apfsplit therefrom and spaced from` eachv other to provide an opening through which the' flap extends whenA the sole is in engagement with said supports, amatrix plate adjustably secured toone of the supports, a apureducing member, and means to move the supports and the matrix plate past the iiap-recuicing` member to cause said member to force the flap against the matrixplate-thereby to skive theV flap at sclected localities.

Liafllln abrading machine having, in combina-V tion, supports providedwith faces which are constructies-l and VamangL-idto engage lthe heel seat and the shank portions' respectively of -aV soleV having a breastila'p split thereirom and spaced from each other to provide an' opening Y through which the iiapextends when the sole engages said races, said support forjthe .heelseatl portion or` the sole having a faceto sepa-v ratetheiap from the sole and to deiiect it into' the opening, a` matrix plate, an abrasivemember, andl means to move-the supports and theA matrix plate past theA member thereby to cause said member to force the flap against the matrix plate forskiving the ilap at selected localities..

5. An abrading machine having, in combination, atable constructed to support asole havsplit therefrom and provided with a slit through l which the ilap extends, a `matrix plato secured to the under-side of the table and mounted. for adjustment toward and away from the slit, a

flap-reducing member, means to rotate the ta-A ble to movethe matrix plate in an orbital path past the reducing member thereby to force the iap extending through the slit against said plate for shaping the flap-to. a form determined the plate, an abutment mounted iorj pivotal movement to facilitate the adjusting ci the matrix plate relatively to the slit, and an indicator extending above the table and connected to' said abutment constructed arranged to permit the operator to set the abutment in av prede-l termined position.

'7.'An abrading machine having, in combination, a member constructed and arranged to be positioned between the shank portion of a sole and a heel-breast covering 4hap split therefrom, a matrix plate adjustably secured' to the member, an abutment for positioning the` matrix platerelatvely to said member, means for enabling the operator accurately to adjust the abutment relatively to the member, abrasive means, and mechanismto move the member and the matrix plate past the abrasive means for forcing the iiap against the matrix plate "hereby to reduce the ilap at selected localities.A

8. Anabrading machine having, in combination, aY member constructed and arranged to be positioned between a sole and a heel-breast covering flap split therefrom, a matrix plate adjustablyse'cured to saidV member, abrading means,

and means to cause relative movement between said memberand said meansY to force the iiap against the matrix plate thereby to' reduce the ap at selected localities.

9. An abrading machine having, in combination, a member constructed and arranged to support a sole having a flapsplit therefrom and provided with a slit through which the rlap extends, a matrix plate secured. to the member' andY mounted for adjustment toward and away `Irom the slit, abrasive means, and means to move the 'member and the matrix plate in an orbital path member, and means to eiec't relative movement Y -o the member on one hand and thematrix plate and the support on the other hand-to reduce theflap at selected localities in accordance with vthe shape of the matrix plata: said matrix plate being. adjustable relatively to the support in accordance with the portion of the rlap it is desired to reduce.,

1l. Inan abrading machine, afsupport and a matrix plate constructed and arranged to be positioned between a sole anda heel-breast coveringilap split therefrom, an abrasive belt, and means .to move the support and the matrix plate past the belt to skive the flap at selected localities in accordance with the shape or the matrix platey said Vmatrix plate being adjustable relatively to the support in accordance with the portion of the flap it is desired to reduce.

l2. An abrading machine having, in combination, a supportA provided' with a slit, a matrix plate, means to clamp the support and the ma'- trix'plat'e togethensaid support and said matrix plate being mounted for relative adjustment to vary the distance between the plate and the slit, an abrasive member, and means to move the support and the Amatrix plate past the abrasive member in aplane disposed at substantially right angles to the plane Vofthe path of rotation of said abrasive member.Y f

13-.jAn abrading machine having, in combination, a support for a sole having a heel-breast covering flap splitthererom, said support being provided with an opening to receive the flap, a matrix plate, members movable to centralize the sole upon thesupport, an'V abrasive member, and

`means to movefthe support and the matrix plate past-the abrasive member thereby to force the iap against the plate for varying the thickness or" the flap at selected localities.

i4. An abrading machine having, in combination, a-table constructed to support a sole having a heel-breast covering lap split therefrom and providedwith an opening to receive the flap, a matrix plate secured to the under-side of the table, a rotary abrasive member, saidl table and said matrix plate being mounted for movement in an orbitalV path to cause the abrasive member to force the'lap against the matrix plate thereby to vary the thickness of the ilap at selected localities, and -means for adjusting the abrasive 'member toward and away from the `table to vary the minimum thickness to which the flap is reduced.

l5. An abrading machine having, in combination, a member constructed to support a sole f' to the member, abrasive means movable in a closed path, a flap-guiding member to move the flaprtoward the matrix plate, and means for moving the. sole-supporting member past the nap-guiding member to cause the flap to be positioned adjacent to the matrix plate and then past Ythe abrasive rneans for forcing the flap against said plate to vary the thickness of the l`flap, at selectedlocalities,

i6, An abrading machine having, in combination, a member constructed to support a sole having a heel-breast covering flap split therefrom andprovided with a slit through which the rlap extends, va-vinatrix, plate carried by the ,member andy-mounted for adjustment toward and away from the slit, abrasive means, means to move the member and the matrix plate in an orbital path pastfthe abrasive means thereby to force portions of the flap extending through the slit againstthe matrix plate to reduce the flap to a shape Ydetermined by said plate, and means comprising indicator to enable the operator to determine ata glanceithe position of Athe matriz/:plate relatively "to the slit.

17. An abrading'machine having, in combina@ tion, a member constructed and arranged to support al soie having a heel-breast covering nap spiit therefromand provided with a slit through which the flap extends, a matrix plate secured to themember and mounted for adjustment to.

ward andaway from the slit, a separatorA plate defining one side oi the slit and constructed and arranged to deflect the iap throughA the .slit as the flap is moved along the membery againstlthe separator plate, abrasive meansyand means for movingthe member and the matrix plate in Aan,

orbital path past the abrasive` member yto force portionsof theiiap extending .throughthe slit against theV matrix .plate therebyf` to reduce the flap to a shape determinedby.said-plate. f `18. A machine of'ithe class described having, in combination, `a table^constructed ato support a sole having a heel-breast covering vnap splity therefromand provided with an opening through which Vthe ap extends, a matrix Vplate secured to the table and mounted for adjustmenttoward and away from the opening, a separator plate Which deiines a portion of one end of s'aidopening, said separator plate being constructed and arranged to cause the flap to be moved through the opening and to cause the heel-seat portion of the sole tooverride the'separator as the sole is forced against the same, a flap-reducing member, and means forgmoving the table and the matrixplate in an orbital path past the flap-A reducing member to force portions of thefflap extending through the opening against thematrix plate thereby to reduce the apto a shape Y to deect the flap through the opening and to* cause the heel-seat portion of the sole to override the separator plate as theV sole is forced against the same, an abrasive member, and means for rotating the drum to move the matrix plate in an orbital path past the abrasive mem-V ber for forcing portions ofthe ap extending through the opening against the matrix plate thereby to reduce the flap at selected localities.

20. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a support for a sole having a heel-breast covering iiap split therefrom, said support being provided with an opening shaped to receive the iiap, a portion of the support defining one side of the opening being constructedl and arranged to separate the flap from the sole and to guide the flap through the opening as the sole is slid along the support, a flap-reducing member, a matrix plate, and means for causing relative movement of the flap-reducing member on one hand and the support and the matrix plate on the other hand to skive at selected localities portions of the flap extending through the opening.

21. An Aabradin'g machine having, in combination, supports provided with faces constructedv I and arranged to engage the heel-seatand the shank portions, respectively, of a sole having a breast covering flap split therefrom and spaced from each'fothertofforinan openii'i'spsaid 'sup-V port for the heel-seat portion terminating'inan undercut iace'vvhich dennes Vone side of` the opening and servesto separate the flapA from the sole and to deiiect it intcthe opening when.

the soleis forced against said support, a matrix plate secured toy one of the'supports; an abrasive .memben 'and means tolmove the supports and vthe matrix plate pastvthe abrasivev member forV causing the member to force theiiap against the matrix .and thereby to reduce the thicknessV of the Yilap at selected localities. l

22. An Labrading, machine having, in combina` tion, supports provided with faces constructed and arranged to engage the heel-seatandshank portions, respectively, of a: solehaving Ya breastcovering apv split therefrom and spaced from each Vother `to form an openingthe support rfor,

the heel-seat portion of thefsole lhaving a' face which extends beyond` the sole-engaging face of the `othersupport andserves to separate the flap irom.,the.sole and to deiiectit into the lopening whelfthe sole is forced againstsaid support, a matrix plate secured to thesupport for the shank portion of the sole, an abrasive member, means to move the supports and the matrix f plate past the abrasive member for causing the member to force the flap' against the matrix and thereby to reduce thethiclrness of the flap at selected localities, and means to adjust one of the two supports relatively to the other for varying the width of the flap-receiving opening.

23. An abrading machine having, in combination, a turret provided with a plurality of units each of which comprises a matrix plate and-a pair of supports constructed and arranged to engage the shank and heel-seat portions, re-

spectively, of a sole having afheel-breast covering ap split therefrom, said supports being spaced from eachother to provide an opening for receiving the flap, an abrasive member, and

means for rotating the turret successively to move the units past the abrasive member thereby to cause the'aps positioned in theunits to be forced against the respective matrices for reducing the flaps at selected localities.

24..An abrading machine having, in combination, a turret provided with a plurality ofunits each of which comprises.V a matrix plate and ay pair, of supports constructed and arranged .to engage the shank and heel-seatportions, re-

spectively, lof a sole having a heel-breast covering flap split therefrom, the supports of each Vunit being spaced from each other to provide an opening shaped to receive the'iiap and mounted for relative adjustment to vary the width of the opening, an abrasive "member, and meansfor rotating the turret successively to move the units*- past the abrasive member to reduce the flaps of theV soles carried'by the units atselected localities.

25. An abrading machine having, in combina-V tion, an endless abrasive belt\a turret mounted for rotation and provided with a plurality of units each of which comprises a support and a matrix plate constructed' and arranged to be kpositioned between the shankportion of a sole and a heel-breast covering flap split'therefrorn,

a support constructed and'arranged to engage` the heel-seat portion of the sole and spaced from the first-named support toV providey an opening for receiving the-nap, and means to rotate the turret in a plane disposed substantially` vat right angles to the plane of the'path of rotation of the belt thereby successively to move the spaced to provide an opening for receiving the flap, a matrix plate secured to the inside of the drum, an abrasive member positioned inside the drum, and means to rotatethe drum -to cause the abrasive member successively to force the naps extending through the opening of the units Y against the respective matrices of the units thereby to skive the flaps at selected localities.

' 27. An abrading machine having,'in'combina tion, a rotary drum provided with a plurality of units each ofwhich comprisesY supports which are constructedV and arranged to engage the shank and heel-seat portions, respectivelyfof a sole having a flap split therefrom and are spaced to provide an opening through which thefilap extends, a'matrix secured to the inside of the drum, and gages within the opening to position thev sole widthwise upon Vthe supports, an abrasive belt, a guide positioned adjacent to the inside of the drum for bending the portion of the flap extending through the opening toward the matrix as the drum is rotated, and means to rotate the drum for causing the abrasive belt to force the ap extending through the opening against the matrix thereby to skive the same to a shape determined by the matrix.

28. Infan abrading machine, a support and a matrixcplate constructed and arranged to` be positioned between a sole and a heel-breast covering fflapY split therefrom, a rotary abrasive member, and means to move the supportV and the matrix platepast the member in a path tangent to said memberv to reduce the flap at selected localities in accordanceV with the shape ofA the matrix plate', said-'matrix platebeing adjustable 20 

